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Phy6dummy
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Homework Statement
Two identical conducting spheres, fixed in place, attract each other with an electrostatic force of 0.108 N when their center-to-center separation is 50.0 cm. The spheres are then connected by a thin conducting wire.When the wire is removed, the spheres repel each other with an electrostatic force of 0.0360 N. Of the initial charges on the spheres, with a positive net charge, what was (a) the negative charge on one of them and (b) the positive charge on the other?
Homework Equations
F=k((q1q2)/r^2)
The Attempt at a Solution
What I did was plug and chug
F1=0.108N=8.99^9((q1q2)/0.5^2)=3.0x10^-12
same for the second one F2=.0360 etc.. But I got it wrong.
I can not understand why for the second equation it has to be F2=k((q1+q2)(^2)/4r^2). From what I think, since the charge is conserved, shouldn't it be the same as the original equation? Or am I misinterpreting the book or something? I just can't figure out why Fa=kq1q2/r^2 but Fb=k((q1+q2)(^2)/4r^2) or where did the (q1+q2)/2 came from? Thanks in advance.
Sorry, I am so slow with these things.